McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom

McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom. VF 142 Ghostriders, also, U.S.S. America in 1974. , The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom aircraft was developed as superiority fighter and interceptor for deployment on board U.S. Navy Aircraft carriers, "Flat Top" ships. It held the world speed record for more than 10 years, has a top level flight speed of 1,475 mph. This is still the approximate maximum speed of many top fighter aircraft. It was replaced by the F-14 tomcat as the Navy's premier fighter in 1974. Fighter Squadron 142's (VF-142, Ghostriders) last F-4 deployment was aboard the U.S.S America. Next to last Mig kill in Vietnam War was shot down by a "Navy fighter Squadron 142 Phantom", flown by Lt.j.g. Scott Davis from North Louisiana, together with his navigator, Jeff Ulrich. Lt. Garry Lewis, of Livingston Louisiana, donor of the Livingston Executive Airport land, assisted by Captain Alton Ross, both VF142 Ghostrider pilots, were instrumental in this Navy aircraft being loaned to Livingston as a display. The above squadron photograph is of the last F-4 Phantom cruise of VF 142 Ghostriders aboard the U.S.S. America in 1974 with pilots in lower front row, and their navigators (Radar Intercept Operators- RIOS) in second row standing In photo lower row, second from left end is Garry Lewis and lower row, second from right end is Scott Davis with their RIOS standing behind them. City of Livingston appreciates the loan of this aircraft from the Naval Air Museum, Pensacola Florida.